2008 Applicants

As the ominous ides of March draw near, bringing with it Clarion's rejection or acceptance, I didn't want to miss the opportunity to say hello to my fellow applicants before it was too late. I have the feeling that once the notifications are sent out, our anxious bond forged by hope and anticipation will be broken. I've read all of your posts and I see slices of my own story in each of them, so I'd like to finally add my story to the pot.

This was my first time applying for the workshop, so I'd like to think the inevitable rejection won't hurt so much, but like the song goes, "The first cut is the deepest." When I began my submission story (three days from the deadline) I was extremely confident. But like I always say, "Every story I begin is worthy of a Pulitzer Prize, but most stories I finish aren't worthy of the paper they're printed on." As the story drew to a close, and the deadline loomed, I began reconsidering even applying. But I didn't have much time to reconsider given that I had to finish the second submission story to qualify for Clarion@ucsd. I finished my final story at the eleventh Hour... literally... 11:01 PM. I saved about a billion drafts and versions of the stories throughout writing it, thinking what a shame it would be to lose all my work due to a computer crash (It's happened to me before.) Unfortunately my prodigious saving turned out to be my downfall. When I sent my stories to the administrators, I sent out the wrong versions. Thankfully I caught my mistake and resent the right versions just in time.

Since it was my first time applying, I was excited just to be a candidate. But the excitement has given way to pure anxiety. I've even had nightmares about receiving the rejection notice. To get through the anxiety I've been writing and reading.

My all time favorite book is "Slaughter House Five" by Kurt Vonnegut; a touching tale about a WWII veteran who becomes "unstuck in time" and must continually relive all the moments of his life, from birth, to adolescence, to surviving the bombing of Dresden, to the death of his wife and children, and his own tragic death. The great thing about the novel is that it's all true. Most of the scenes and characters were taken from Vonnegut's life and experiences as a WWII POW. It showed me that it's not so much the science that makes good science fiction, but the human implications of it... which addresses the question about truly unique Sci-fi; I think it is better to concentrate on unique characters and situations that on unique science. The science should be used as a tool to explore aspects of the story. If you keep this in mind, all of the sci fi you write will be unique.

I believe Science fiction is a lens through which we can view the human condition; much like science itself is a lens through which we view the universe. Without science we would be privy to but a thin slice of reality; but through it we have learned more about reality than through any other intellectual endeavor; science has allowed us to glimpse (however dimly) at the very birth of our universe, illuminating the afterglow of the big bang, and it allowed us to peer down into the unfathomable depths of space-time, down into the quantum foam. Science gives us the power to see beyond what is available to us through the senses, to reveal the very structure of reality. And science fiction brings the power of science to bear onto the human soul.

Excuse me for getting a little dramatic, but I really love science fiction.... anyway....

Good luck and may we meet in Seattle (Or San Diego)

As we're rapidly approaching the application deadline, I just wanted to say good luck to everyone who has applied. Our readers are busily doing their thing and we will get back to you all as soon as we possibly can, but it takes them a while to get through all the reading since so many applicants have waited for the last minute. We're sorry that we can only invite 18 of you--that breaks our hearts every year--but at least we *will* be inviting 18 of you to an amazing adventure.

--Neile

writer; workshop administrator
http:www.sff.net/people/neile

And so I join the list of anxious nail biters.

This is my first time applying and it's good to know that I'm not the only one forcing myself to think of other things. I've been writing seriously since 2004 and stumbled upon Clarion West about a year ago. It sounds like a great program and an honor to be accepted.

Someone wished us all good luck -- thank you! I can only speak for myself, but I can use it.

Writing has been no less than a pilgramage for me. If I'm allowed to be a tad bit dramatic, I remember starting my first novel with such hope and naive happiness. I opened a bottle of champagne when I finished the first draft of Digital Memory. I was so proud and felt like I had joined the ranks of the few, the good, the accomplished, The Writers!

Ha! I think the best way to describe these past 4 years is to compare it to sex. Well, to be more specific: a woman losing her virginity. You're in love, you're happy, but then the pain comes and you're left thinking "what the hell? I sure hope it gets better than this because if not, I don't think I want to play anymore!"

And of course it gets better but you're still left remembering the moment when those rose colored glasses came off.

For me it was my first rejection letter. It wasn't that I was rejected. No, it was the stamped reply on the top of my one page query letter that angered me. Okay, and the fact that he rejected me without reading the first paragraph of my novel didn't help.

I'd like to think I've come a long way since then. My writing has improved and I've matured in the ways of the "art" industry. I finally understand that the writing is the fun part, but the queries, agenting and publishing is when I need to wear my corporate hat -- now if I can just do that without getting emotional everytime an agent replies with the "thank you for the opportunity to read Crimson Candles...." In my house, we've switched to paper plates. They tend to handle impact better :)

Anyway, we seem to be on this pilgramage together so I thought I'd share some of my more darker moments with writing. I've often thought of stopping. I mean, it seems like such a large mountain and I happen to suffer from altitude sickness. But another story idea pops in my head each time I think about giving up. And then I'm off writing about some planet in another galaxy where people are two feet tall.

To all of those who are waiting to find out if you've been accepted, I too wish you the best of luck. Happy Writing!

Hi folks,
Great thread! This is my first time applying and I'm really excited about it.

I've been plugging away at my work for awhile, but it's mainly been a private hobby. This year a friend asked me about applying to CW and I responded by writing a little post on my site about being terrified of workshops in general. Well, a few more friends piled on and I sort of wondered why I shouldn't just jump in there and do it. Then my wife said I had to do it, so here I am. :)

Good luck everyone!!

Hi, my name is Aerin and this'll be my fifth time applying. The first four were consecutive years in a row about 4 years back or so, this year makes it the fifth. I'd say i went through various stages, denial was first, then the desolation, then the feelings of inadequacy... but the feelings lessened every subsequent time I applied. I've learned a bit since then from the various creative types that have flitted in and out of my life-- keep chugging away at your work regardless of what happens, and take the criticism/advice you've been given in stride. This year I agonized a bit with my submission package (novel excerpt) only because I sent it via e-mail; I'm old school in the sense that I <3 my yellow legal notepad scribbles and heavy 24# hard copies scattered in my creative space, for all that my blog has lots 'o snazzy html coding...

Okay, that's a lie. I found two typos when I was looking the submission over after I sent it out. (Curse you, spellcheck!!) But the Agonizing was temporary.

As to what I'm doing while I wait, I don't think about what I need to get in or what I do if I don't. The submission I sent was the best at the moment and that's that. If someone on the panel sees something in my writing that can be improved by this year's instructors then I consider that to be providence. If not, well, there's always next year. ^_^

As for my favorite reads, I have quite a few (None of them are Tolkien, sorry guys >_<) But I am full-on, madly in love with Harry Dresden and the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher right now. I want a temple dog, too. (I wonder if they shed?)

I'm Justin, and this is my first time applying to a Clarion workshop, and i'm very excited as well. I wish everyone luck and hope to meet all of you soon. I submitted a story that isn't even Sci-Fi, because it was the best one I had under 30 pages, so I went with what I thought was best.

I live near Seattle, so if we all have the opportunity to study together, I'll be more than happy to act as a 'Field Guide' or 'Ranger' if you will of all the Seattle landscape has to offer.  

So, beyond that, I'm a indie film producer, a writer, and a big big sci-fi and fantasy lover. Have been my whole life. I really look forward to being in an environment with like minds so we can brainstorm and feed each other's ideas. See you soon. 

Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid!

Hello everyone,

It is very cool to see an applicant's thread started for this year. I always enjoy reading all the opinions and excitement that are so evident here.

I am still getting used to their brand new message board. Hopefully my markup stuff will work.

Be sure to have fun while waiting...

Oh, and Clarion East said their application pool last year was 70 or so applicants so your odds aren't horrific - they just may feel that way. Also, I don't have any idea how many CW gets in comparison.

Mallory

Hi Rheniel (and other hopefuls)!

And thanks for starting this thread. I am totally flustered and flummoxed as to what to send and what judges are looking for. This year's roster of instructors is impressive indeed. And I'm sure there'll be like 10,000 applicants. So what's the secret to standing out from the crowd? I haven't got a clue. Like many other applicants (I'm sure) I'm rushing to write new stories, fearing the old ones won't measure up, but of course the new ones probably won't be so great either. Oh god! If only I could channel JG Ballard!

Do the panel of judges change each year? Is it really more competitive to get into Clarion than Harvard Medical School? Does one really have a better chance at being an astronaut than a sci-fi writer?

I'd really be curious to hear some of the plot synopsises of what people are sending in their applications. I know you can't tell the quality of writing from a synopsis, but still be interesting.

Oh well, I guess I'll just send what I have. It ain't gonna be brilliant; could always some more work. But you don't have the luxury of revising forever.

BTW, is possible to be truly original in sci-fi anymore? My own stories are just variations on classic devices: time-travel; dytopian world; post-apocalypitc war...etc.